Venetians tend to speak a local dialect of Italian known commonly as Venetian or even Venessian and is spoken in Venice, Mestre and other locations along the north-eastern coast. Although still fundamentally Italian, it has its own characteristics and to some is a separate language altogether.

Venetians will of course understand Italian as well as any other Italian and even rudimentary attempts by tourists perhaps.

There are many schools in Venice catering for learning the Italian language although not so much use for the day tripper or tourist. Intensive courses, low-budget, individually tutored and even weekend courses are available. It is widely regarded that living in Italy, and to an even greater extent living with an Italian person or family, is the quickest and best way to learn the language and these types of inductions are also available in the city through various schools.

The Venice Institute (www.istitutovenezia.com) is a highly regarded school of the Italian language and culture and offers varying courses depending on level and situation required.

Just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, Language courses abroad (LCA) offers high quality Italian language courses in an 18th century palace in Venice and can also cater for those wishing to live with Italians for the period of their stay. (www.languagesabroad.co.uk)

Did you Know?!?

Although now spoken in many dialects, Italian as a language is still widely regarded to being the closes living language to Latin, which dates back to the Romans.